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Child Care Assistance
The Low-Income Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps eligible families with the costs of child care for children from birth to age 12 while the parents work toward self-sufficiency.
To qualify for CCAP, parents must meet income limits and be involved in one of the following activities:
If you have a child residing in your home whose non-custodial parent is not providing child support, you will be required to cooperate with Arapahoe County’s Community and Child Support Services Division in order to qualify for CCAP. Cooperation is required for all children in the household with an absent parent who are in need of child care services. The division will provide any necessary services to establish, modify or enforce a child support or medical support order. Child care assistance will be denied or terminated for all children in the home if a family fails to cooperate without good cause.
Each family can choose a child care provider that best meets their needs. CCAP will pay the provider directly for times when the parent is at the approved activity. Arapahoe County Department of Human Services will conduct background checks on providers. Parents can conduct online child care searches by visiting Colorado Shines or call the Colorado Shines Child Care Referral Line at 877-338-2273. You can check into any licensing history for licensed or registered providers.
Colorado's online application and eligibility tool for CCAP are currently under construction. Please apply for or renew CCAP benefits using the following links:
Eligibility
To qualify for CCAP, parents must meet income limits and be involved in one of the following activities:
- Working or looking for a job
- Attending college or vocational school
- Enrolled in high school if under age 21
- Studying for a GED if under age 21
Cooperation with Child Support
If you have a child residing in your home whose non-custodial parent is not providing child support, you will be required to cooperate with Arapahoe County’s Community and Child Support Services Division in order to qualify for CCAP. Cooperation is required for all children in the household with an absent parent who are in need of child care services. The division will provide any necessary services to establish, modify or enforce a child support or medical support order. Child care assistance will be denied or terminated for all children in the home if a family fails to cooperate without good cause.
Choosing a Provider
Each family can choose a child care provider that best meets their needs. CCAP will pay the provider directly for times when the parent is at the approved activity. Arapahoe County Department of Human Services will conduct background checks on providers. Parents can conduct online child care searches by visiting Colorado Shines or call the Colorado Shines Child Care Referral Line at 877-338-2273. You can check into any licensing history for licensed or registered providers.
How to Apply
Colorado's online application and eligibility tool for CCAP are currently under construction. Please apply for or renew CCAP benefits using the following links:
- To Apply: Print an application (Spanish) and fax, mail or deliver it to our Aurora or Littleton office. You can also apply through the Colorado Program Eligibility and Application Kit (PEAK).
- To Renew Benefits: Print a redetermination form (Spanish) and fax, mail or deliver it to our Aurora or Littleton office
For providers
If you are interested in becoming a Colorado Child Care Assistance Program provider and would like to enroll as a provider, visit the Colorado Office of Early Childhood to get started.
For general provider inquiries, contact the Colorado Office of Early Childhood council at cdhs_oec_communications@state.co.us or 1-800-799-5876.